Wisconsin Ag Connection - UW-Platteville Implements New Renewable Energy Courses

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UW-Platteville Implements New Renewable Energy Courses
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/04/2008

Faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville who have been working on the development of a renewable energy minor say they are now ready to offer the program. Starting this fall, the school will begin teaching courses focused on energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, bio-fuels and bio-products. A minor in renewable energy is applicable to any major field of study at UWP including agriculture, engineering, business and political science.

Administration officials say the nine core credits being offered in the minor range from two to four credits per course. The first course in the minor, ENER2130: Energy, Environment and Society, will be offered during the fall 2008 semester. This course will cover topic areas of energy and energy-related terminology, forms and sources of energy; social, environmental and economic issues related to energy; and recent energy policy changes in the United States and the world.

The other two courses are anticipated to be offered during the spring 2009 semester and include ENER3240: Fundamentals of Energy Sources and ENER4920: Research or Design Project on renewable energy.

The idea for the new program began in December 2006 when UWP administration, faculty and a number of Wisconsin companies met to discuss Wisconsin's future energy needs. At this meeting, it was determined that UWP has a strong interest in alternative energy and bio-products.

For more information on the renewable energy minor, call 608-342-1157.